Why Compromised Credentials Remain the Biggest Security Risk

Compromised credentials cause most security breaches. An employee’s password gets phished through a convincing email impersonating Microsoft or a trusted supplier, and within minutes attackers access email, download files from OneDrive and SharePoint, and send phishing messages from the legitimate account to colleagues and clients. The risk compounds through former employee accounts left active after departure, shared passwords for service accounts that make it impossible to track who accessed what, and administrative accounts with no protection beyond a basic password.

Proper identity and access management prevents these scenarios before they cause damage. Multi factor authentication blocks access even when passwords are stolen because attackers lack the second verification factor. Conditional Access policies require healthy, compliant devices before granting access, privileged accounts receive time limited access that automatically expires, and former employees lose access immediately when accounts are disabled.

Multi Factor Authentication Coverage

40%

Every account protected, no exceptions.

Common Identity and Access Problems We Fix

Weak Authentication and Credential Reuse

Phishing attacks steal passwords daily, and without multi factor authentication, stolen credentials grant immediate access to email, OneDrive, and applications. Default password policies often allow simple, easily guessed passwords, and users who reuse the same password across personal and corporate accounts hand attackers a working login the moment a personal account is breached.

We enforce MFA universally using Microsoft Authenticator, hardware security keys, or biometric authentication, disable legacy authentication protocols that bypass MFA, and block commonly used passwords and patterns, encouraging passwordless authentication with Windows Hello or hardware security keys where possible.

Uncontrolled and Orphaned Access

Users often receive Global Administrator rights when they only need basic permissions, and permissions accumulate as people change roles or contracts end, with nobody removing access that is no longer needed. Former employee and contractor accounts frequently remain active for months after departure, sitting unmonitored as an attractive target.

We implement least privilege access with just in time elevation through Privileged Identity Management, run regular access reviews where managers certify who should retain access, and automate account lifecycle management so accounts are disabled immediately upon departure.

Shared Credentials, Unmanaged Apps, and Emergency Access

Teams sharing generic account passwords make it impossible to determine who performed a specific action when incidents occur, third party applications connect to Microsoft 365 with broad permissions and no IT approval, and businesses that rely entirely on MFA with no emergency access procedure risk a full lockout if MFA systems go down.

We eliminate shared credentials through proper shared mailbox configuration and group based permissions, monitor and approve OAuth consent grants, and implement properly secured break glass accounts, excluded from MFA and monitored constantly, for genuine emergencies.

Our Approach to Identity & Access Management

Centralised Identity and Single Sign On

Microsoft Entra ID becomes your single source of truth for user identities, managing authentication for Microsoft 365, Azure, third party SaaS applications, and on premises systems through hybrid identity. Third party applications like MYOB, Salesforce, and industry specific platforms integrate with Entra ID so users sign in once and access every authorised application without repeated passwords, while IT manages access centrally and disabling an account removes access everywhere at once.

Multi Factor Authentication and Conditional Access

MFA requires additional verification beyond passwords, using Microsoft Authenticator push notifications, biometric authentication, or hardware security keys, so attackers cannot sign in with a phished password alone. We enforce MFA across all accounts, and layer Conditional Access on top, evaluating user risk, device compliance, and location so high risk or unusual sign ins get challenged or blocked automatically.

Privileged Access and Audit Reporting

Admin rights get assigned just in time for specific durations rather than permanently, requested with business justification and expiring automatically once the approved timeframe ends. Sign in logs track every authentication attempt and audit logs record permission changes and admin actions, giving you the visibility needed for incident investigation, compliance audits, and ongoing security monitoring.

Does multi factor authentication protect us even if a password is phished?

Yes. MFA requires additional verification beyond passwords, such as Microsoft Authenticator push notifications, biometrics, or hardware security keys, so even when a password is phished or stolen, attackers cannot sign in without that second factor.

What happens to accounts when an employee leaves?

We automate account lifecycle management with joiner, mover, leaver processes that disable accounts immediately upon departure, rather than leaving them active and unmonitored for months afterward.

What is Privileged Identity Management and do we need it?

Privileged Identity Management assigns admin rights just in time for a specific duration rather than permanently, requiring business justification for activation and expiring automatically once the approved timeframe ends, with every privileged action logged. It is worth implementing for any business where administrative access is currently granted permanently rather than on demand.

How do you handle emergency access if MFA systems go down?

We implement properly secured break glass accounts with strong passwords stored offline, excluded from MFA requirements and monitored constantly, so your business is never fully locked out even during an MFA outage. Emergency access procedures are documented and tested regularly.

Can we use single sign on with our other business applications, not just Microsoft 365?

Yes. Third party applications like MYOB, Salesforce, and industry specific platforms can integrate with Microsoft Entra ID for authentication, so users sign in once and IT manages access centrally, with disabling an account removing access to every integrated application at once.

Tired of Wondering if Your IT is Set Up Right?